(news release – Offices of Steve Fox)  Assemblyman Steve Fox (D-Palmdale) announced positive financial changes for school districts and community colleges that have struggled over the past decade as the California Legislature passes the 2013-2014 budget.

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“All of our local schools will receive additional funding this year,” Fox said. “The budget package included mechanisms for elementary school class size reductions, more resources for students who need the most support, and debt repayments that were deferred during the recession. This will give our schools a long deserved leg up.”

The budget establishes a “local control funding formula,” which provides discretionary funds that were set aside based on the school’s population of English learners, foster youth, and low income students.

This year’s budget contains measures to support California’s community colleges. Included in the budget is an additional $301 million for community colleges, priority enrollment for former foster youth and to students who are recipients of aid under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program.  

The Middle Class Scholarship also provides tuition reduction to University of California and California State University students.

The $96.3 billion state budget approved on June 14-15 is the product of 65 separate Assembly hearings and five conference committee hearings. This vote marks the third time the Legislature has passed a budget on time.

Fox, chairman of the select committee on community colleges and a member of the debt and investment advisory committee, applauded budget measures focusing on students.  

“This increased education funding will reduce class size, pay down California’s debt to our local schools and reverse some of the historical funding inequities that have kept our students from fully reaching their potential,” Fox said. “I am pleased to have been a part of this significant process.”

The following local school districts have had the greatest financial challenges and are among the recipients of a per student based funding increases.

Additional per student funding by school district

Acton-Agua Dulce $ 241.00

Antelope Valley Union $ 326.00

Eastside Union $ 391.00

Gorman $ 262.00

Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union $ 196.00

Keppel Union $ 379.00

Lancaster $ 412.00

Mojave $ 384.00

Muroc Joint $ 236.00

Palmdale $ 429.00

Saugus Union $ 208.00

Southern Kern $ 391.00

Sulphur Springs Union $ 241.00

Westside Union $ 269.00

William S. Hart Union $ 218.00

Wilsona $ 428.00

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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